Documents: Dozens Of Dogs Have Died

PARKER, SD -
Dogs that animal control officers argued were living in deplorable conditions are now sick and dying in their care.

Second Chance Rescue Center raided Dan Christensen's property last September. A judge has since ruled the search warrants used were illegal because animal control officer Rosey Quinn didn't tell the judge the animals looked okay just days before the raid. Thursday, new court papers revealed the exact condition of the animals when they were taken, their health today and how many have died since.

Christensen's attorney, Brian Radke, filed papers in civil court Thursday, including an inventory of the dogs. It shows the number of dogs seized has grown to 265 dogs. Radke says while in Second Chance's care, they've been exposed to disease and dozens have died. Now he's asking that Second Chance Humane Officers Rosey Quinn and Dana Wigg cease and desist from being animal control officers in Turner County.

The 172 dogs taken from Dan Christensen's property in Turner County last September quickly found a temporary home at the Turner County fairgrounds. The new court documents show none of the dogs had the highly contagious parvo virus when they were seized. A letter from Veterinarian Laura Byl says none of the dogs had the disease, but another document shows at least ten of the dogs contracted the virus while they were in the care of Second Chance Rescue and some got so sick, they died.

One of the dogs that died was a puppy Jim and Dena Kaufman fostered. They told KELOLAND News they were concerned about the care the dogs were receiving back in December.

"I think they gave it their best shot to do the best they could do by these dogs, but the disease is overtaking the facilities and all these animals and the public needs to know how dangerous this parvo is," Dena Kaufman told KELOLAND News in December of 2009.

A complete list of all the dogs seized shows a total of 28 dogs under Second Chance's care have died since last September's raid. It says some even died in their kennels or were euthanized by staff at Second Chance. It says more than 50 dogs are still being housed at Second Chance, while foster families are taking care of dozens more.

Christensen estimates the damage done to his dogs while in Second Chance's care is around $100,000.

Radke also claims in the court filing that Quinn committed perjury during a hearing in January. She said they had a search warrant to walk around Christensen's property last April but they didn't.